Some foods cause choking risk in young children

From Tammy Roberts, Health and Nutrition Specialist robertstt@missouri.edu


According to the American Academy of Pediatrics choking on food causes the death of a child every five days in the United States. It is important to know who is most at risk and which foods to avoid.

Children that are younger than four years of age or children with chewing or swallowing problems are the ones most at risk for choking. Children under the age of four are new at using their molars. They may bite off a piece of food with their incisors and forget to use, or underuse, their molars.

“Children often get in a hurry to eat and swallow food before it is completely chewed. There are some shapes that you need to watch closely” said Tammy Roberts, nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension.



Foods that are round and compressible cause particular concern. Hot dogs are an example of this type of food. Children bite off a round piece and if they swallow without chewing it is just the size to completely block the windpipe. Hot dogs are one of the most common foods that children choke on.

Other foods to avoid that are a choking hazard for young children include grapes, sausage rounds, hard candy, jelly beans, whole nuts, beans, seeds, marshmallows, chewing gum, gummy or other chewy candy, pretzels, chips, peanuts and popcorn.

Chunks of meat also pose a risk for young children. “Remember that young children don’t have the grinding ability that adults have so meat should be cut in small pieces” said Roberts. Many foods such as grapes and other fruits and vegetables can be cut be cut in to smaller pieces so they don’t pose a risk.

Children love peanut butter but it is also a food potentially dangerous for them. Large chunks of peanut butter are thick and hard to move if they get lodged in the throat. For that reason it is best to spread peanut butter thinly on toast or crackers so there is less liklihood of choking.

In addition to watching the types of food that you serve children, there are things that you can do to help prevent choking. Sit at the table with them to help ensure a calm environment and remind children to eat slowly and chew their food.

Food is an important part of our lives for many reasons. Help keep eating a pleasant experience for children by avoiding choking hazards.